2nd chemo

I am officially half way through the first phase of my year long treatment. I had my second chemo yesterday. I was glad to have my sister Suzanne was with me. I assured her it would be a quick day. I lied. We got there at 8:30 and got home around 3. Turns out the infusion center has its own version of Black Friday. lol. My dear friend Tari, a survivor, gave me this advice at the beginning of this process and it has helped me...ya' know, set expectations:
"Be patient with the ridiculous and never ending delay and bureaucracy of the medical world. The frustration and waiting will be astounding but it will all happen in good time."

I have felt okay and am sleeping like a rock other than getting up every 3 hours last night, which was really hard to do because I was wiped out. But the thought of chemicals searing the lining of your bladder is very motivating.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Having the Lanza's here with us was really special. I wanted to post but I couldn't come up with anything to write. Truly. Not because I am not grateful for the bounty of blessings in my life but rather that I have so.so.so.very.much to be thankful for that I didn't know where to start! So I commit to write a post dedicated to all I am thankful for, I will do that in the coming weeks. I am always thinking about it and thanking God. So it will be a fun post to write.

xoxo

Dream

We had a nice day yesterday, despite Oscar's morning at the dentist. Poor little guy has had terrible teeth issues since he came home from Guatelama. But we are getting there. He had to have another root canal with a silver cap (back tooth thank goodness). He is VERY brave!! When we got to the dentist office they gave him Demerol to get him to sleep, then of course he had the happy gas. To quote the dentist: "He is not wired like other kids". He never fell asleep, was wide awake the whole time, chatting up the staff. Hmmmmmmmmmm...who does he remind me of???




Suzanne, Donald and the boys are here, hence the nice day yesterday. I am so happy. Oscar and Angelica are so happy. Zoey, Oddie and Scruffy are so happy. We are all thrilled they are here with us.

I am not a slave to my looks, as you all know. Oscar is so pleased when I change sweatshirts occassionally and don't take him to school 5 days in a row in the same clothes. But I am a bit apprehensive in anticipation of losing my hair. What if my head is shaped funny? What if is not smooth and elegant like Sinéad O'Connor's noggin? Well, the good news is that so far I have not lost any hair. In fact, it's weird. When I shower, none falls out. I ALWAYS lose hair in the shower, don't you? I usually have a bunch come out, especially when I rub in the conditioner. Not lately. Just the opposite. Maybe I will dodge that bullet. Doesn't really matter. I will deal with it if it happens.

I had a dream that I got my eyebrows waxed. You know when they are finished with the painful part and they take that pad with lotion all over it to wipe off the excess wax? In my dream he did that and when he wiped across my brow, he had wiped off ALL my eyebrows. They came completely off and left a smooth, hairless eye area. It was such a vivid dream. And the waxer was a little Vietnamese man. Yeah, I guess that is a sign of anxiety. At least he wasn't naked...neither was I. LOL And what relief I felt to wake and see my uni brow.

xoxo

Do you like it?

I am finished with my blog changes. All I have left to do is airbrush all the wrinkles out of my face in the photo. Just kidding.....there is not a technology that good. lol

Another great day...praise God. Hope you can all say the same.

Much love,

Maureen

Pardon our dust

To quote my funny friend Kendra in Colorado, does this blog make my butt look big?

I am working on a slight re-vamp of my blog look and, since I am technically challenged, it might take a while. I was going to say since I technically challenged like Kieran but since she is incredibly technical and talented, I can't say that! The comments section IS a bit kludgy (did I spell that right?)

Hang in there with me.

xoxo

Gratitude tree

We started a gratitude tree. I saw this idea somewhere and love it! It is just a bunch of bare branches. We have a package of fabric leaves that we are using a black marker to write what we are thankful for. Then we are hanging them in the "tree". It already looks like a full tree with all of our "thankful leaves" (this picture is the tree with only 1 leaf on it). In fact, we had some visitors yesterday that contributed....thank you Laura and Chris!

Anywho, Oscar got to go first. The first thing he wrote that he is thankful for is me (mom) and the second was cereal. LOL I am thrilled to be in the top 2.

I swear, my heart feels like it will burst with love for these kids!




This looks like WOW but it is really MOM.

We are very thankful for all of you!

xoxo

so cute

Oscar: Oh, no! It's gone!!

Me: What is wrong, Oscar?

Oscar: It's gone! My hamster is gone!

Me: We don't have a hamster.

Oscar: Yes, our hamster, the one that was in my room!

Me: We don't have a hamster.

Oscar: MOM!!!

Me: We don't have a hampster, Oscar.

Oscar: Then where do I put my dirty clothes!!!!

(He was talking about his dirty clothes hamper....so damn cute!)

Chatty

I am feeling great...so you know what that means. Chatty chatty. I have lots to tell you so grab a glass of wine or cup of coffee.


If there are any BOY readers out there, cover your ears and hum for this first part of my post.


Okay, the one side effect of the chemo that I was soooooooo looking forward to was the ONLY one I did NOT get. ***I started*** Jeepers! Can you believe it? Aunt Flo is visiting. What a rip off! I am going to call them tomorrow and tell them I want my money back. tee hee Just kidding. I am so grateful to have such amazing medicine and doctors. I should not joke like that.


Okay, guys, you can come back now.


I re-read my post from Monday and what I know in my heart but neglected to articulate in the post was that the reason my "why" or rather "how" thinking is foolish is because I know this is God's plan for me...and as tongue-in-cheek as I am about everything, this I know like I know my name. I know this is a part of His plan and I will not question it. He is faithful. I know He will give me enough strength for the day. I know each morning He will refill me for the coming day. Thank you for letting me indulge on Monday without judgement.


The greatest thing happened this week. I reconnected with one of the dearest people...someone that was my best friend and neighbor. We drifted. That happens. But I always get a warm feeling when I think about her. She moved out east. But we started e-mailing again this week. And it is like we never missed a beat. She is back in my life and I am thrilled! I would tell you her name but she is famous and you would all be hitting me up for an autograph. I wish I could share with you some small snippets of her eloquence but as I try to repeat it here it just loses something. So suffice to say, I am ecstatic to be in touch with her again.


Check this out. This is what keeps me going. This is my fuel, my sword, my armor (Abby-isms....oops I revealed her name! Drats!), my shield, my strength. I have saved every single card you guys have sent me. And when I need it, I sit down in the middle of the floor and pour them all out and soak in your words of encouragement...and read each one over and over...including every card, post and e-mail. You are the best friends and I stand taller in this fight because of ALL of you! Thank you...



One last thing. About 4 or 5 weeks ago I had a photographer, who I am proud to say is now my friend, come to the house to take our family pictures. A little history on how I know this lovely, talented person: her name is Amy Coffee and she participates as a volunteer in a program called Celebrating Adoption, a national organization of photographers that donate their time and talent to families with newly adopted children. Amy photographed us earlier in the year just after Angelica came home. But I asked her to come back again to capture us one last time before I lose my hair. She took some AMAZING pictures. She is wonderful! I love all the ones of me and the kids, but I have to say one of my absolute favorites is the one of Oddie with dirt on his nose next to the Tonka truck. I would title it "ALL BOY!". But I'm a goof ball. Sit back and enjoy these. There are a ton....so look when you have time. (By the way, like all outside links, I think you have to hit your back button to get back to here. Not sure how to set it for links to open in a new window)

http://www.printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?userid=amycoffee&gallery_id=1338277

Oh...most important...Amy's website: http://www.impactphoto.us/. She donates a portion of each project to organizations she believes in. Hence the name "Impact". How cool is that?

Sorry for the ramble. Love to you all!

xoxo

Vacation's over

I just talked to the Oncologist. I start up on my pills again tonight BUT (I always have a big butt...oops I mean but) I only have to take 5 now…a mere 1,250 mg. Even better news is that they are reducing my infusion of the 3 chemo cocktail by 25%. Hallelujah!!!


xoxo

It is true...!

Thank you for all the well wishes! I am loving my vacation from pills! :)

xoxo

When did it happen.....

...and did I do it to myself? When did I go from being Maureen Moons: Oscar and Angelica's mom; sister; friend; sales rep; dog lover......to.........Maureen Moons: HER2+, estrogen/progesterone negative, 3 inch "tumor", lymph node positive, Stage 3 breast cancer person? Do other cancer patients feel this way, like their identify has been stolen and replaced with the Big C? I am sure this is foolish and thinking like this is as senseless as wondering HOW it happened. Still, it is difficult not to wonder. Did I eat too many ice cream sundays before bed? Are my early days of BigMac consumption haunting me? Did I shave under my arms and then put on deodorant? Did/Do I stress too much at work?

Did the anxiety of my life choices set off a fireworks of cell division?

Indulgent thinking and pointless, wasted energy, I know.

So going forward the only identity I want is the one I had prior to October 1. The collective aspect of the set of characteristics by which I will be definitively known as is Maureen Moons: devoted mom to Angelica and Oscar; loving sister to MB, Michele, Molly, Suzanne, & Megan; fun aunt; loyal friend; committed sales rep for SkillSoft; and most importantly, SURVIVOR. I don't think it is too soon to take on the survivor status since I know that will be the outcome. :)

I have been sick the last several days....and, even though it is WAAAAAAAY too soon to be saying this, I am so sick of being sick. It makes me realize how incredibly healthy I was before this. I think the layers of meds are too much for my little (and getting littler) body. And just when I was thinking to myself that I am not a MD and my doctor knows best, I got a call tonight from my oncologist, Dr. O'Shaughnessy. I am so happy to say that I get TWO DAYS....yes, two glorious days, off all meds. No chemo pills tonight or tomorrow night. Yahoooooooooooooooo!

Thanks Tom, Cindy, Linda and MB for dinner last night. It was wonderful.....!!!!!!!!


xoxo

S-C-R-A-B-B-L-E

The only thing funnier than the bllllud video is the fact that my 12 year old nephew AJ had to point out that I have Scrabble spelled wrong in my "About Me" description. I know you all have been dying to tell me and I really appreciate your sensitivity to my inflated sense of lexicon prowess.

xoxo

Bllllud!!

This just makes me laugh. My nephews Douglas and AJ showed me this a while back and it still just makes me laugh.

Thursday

The weather in Dallas is exceptional. I loved today. It started with my dear friend Lorry showing up with scrumptious goodies from La Madeleine and helping me this morning. Thank you, dear LoLo.

The best part of my day was getting up, showered, and meeting my lunch date in the Zion Lutheran School cafeteria. Best lunch date I have had in years!!! (Sorry dude I met on Match.com but it was no comparison).

My kids are out of sorts. They miss me and desperately crave our routine. I am so grateful Oscar is as communicative as he is. He will tell me excatly how he is feeling. Last night he walked up, hugged my legs and told me he was missing me and just wanted family time. I hope I can nurture that so he always talks things through with me. Ya know, like when he is 15. Ha....right......what crazy chemo talk. LOL A girl can hope. I am working hard to nap when they are at school so we can have our special night time time together. Who would have thought you could miss the monotony of nagging to brush teeth, get jammies on, pick 3 books to read each. God is good. I love my life!!

xoxo

Chemo

I have so many things to be thankful for over the last not-so-fun 3 days. God's love, your support, my children and a great big loud shout out goes my wonder sister, Michele. She rocks. It would be impossible to describe all the sacrifices she has made to be here...and trying to write about them just minimizes them. I am not even sure how she is making all of them all the while caring for her family of 6 here on Annapolis Street: me, Oscar, Angelica, Scruffy, Zoey and Oddie. But she is doing it with such kindness, skill, grace, patience and aptitude.....it is unbelievable. She is so good at it!! Just like everything she puts her mind to. From the bottom of my heart, I am forever grateful, Michele. And I am actually a little worried about my job! lol

I feel like I am on the other side of the yuck. I woke up early feeling good, praise God. And I have learned some things too. So now is where I share my first chemo part of this journey with you. I hesitate because I don't want this to sound like a pity party or, in some cases, I am putting on a brave front, or whatever. I just want to write so this will serve as a reminder and hopefully, maybe, help someone else as so many have helped me. Sitting here right now, what I am feeling is analogous with what I think it might be like for a mom who has given birth.....how you forget how bad you felt because you are so happy (in my case that it seems to be over).

So Friday was my first chemo cocktail given via my port. Michele and I laughed because we truly expected trumpets to herald some miracle happening. But, alas, it was just me in a room with many others, in a chair wrapped in love under a blanket provided by my dear SkillSoft friends. I had the “boys” (my imaginary 4-legged friends...my Shepherds) with me in my mind and heart…and Michele. I pulled the curtain and I sat watching the drip, drip, drip. For some reason, I didn't want the TV or music or book or anything. I just sat there and it was peaceful. It also gave me a chance to pray for all the sick people around me.

I have breezed through the oral chemo and surprised my oncologist. I take 1,500 mg of the clinical trial drug every night…6 horse pills. I have found out that everyone in the trial is on the same dose. So this dose is the same for a 250 lb person or a 115 lb person. Mouth sores (gone now), face rash (also gone now as much as I was enjoying reliving my teenage years via acne) and assorted other unpleasantness were some of my issues but all manageable.

Going into chemo all bolstered by my success with the oral drugs, I was sure I would soar through my first, and easiest chemo (as they are cummulative). I was a little disappointed how fast I got so sick. They said that 8 - 24 hours after the chemo I would feel bad and that would last about 4 days. I made it 4 hours. About 4 hours later I was in bed, down for the count. I was so bummed. But I went to bed, fell asleep by 4 or 5 in the afternoon and did not get up until 6:30 Saturday morning. I could not sleep straight through because I had to wake every 3 hours to go to the bathroom, doctor’s orders. One of the chemos is very hard on your bladder and the lining of the bladder so you have to void every 3 hours for the first week. Didn't matter. I would get up, do my business and fall comatose back into bed after guzzling more water mixed with lemon or something to hide the hideous metallic taste that is a constant in my mouth now a days. Those of you who know me best know that I am hyperactive. I am addicted to projects and always on the go. Napping for long periods got me through the last several days, thanks to the loving care from Michele, and I will try ot make a part of my routine as I go through this.

My goal today: eat. Eat lots. Not all at once. I will get up and I will eat all day in small, little nutritious, fattening, healthy meals. It is either that or my sisters are going to do an intervention. So I am capable and I am on it!!

God did not promise things would be easy but He did say I will not be alone. He has and will give me the strength I need during this time. And He will you too because I know that every person reading this has a cross they are bearing. My love to you all!

xoxo

Cab ride

I know this is not knew but I just love it. I want to raise my children to always be like the driver....full of compassion and grace. What is the secret? We all stand the chance of being that lady. But we can all make sure we are the cabdriver. I have met so many cab drivers in the last month and a half (not real ones...you know what I mean...lol).

Get a hankie. Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Cab Ride I'll Never Forget
by Kent Nerburn

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a pick up at a building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.

So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

"It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated."

"Oh, you're such a good boy," she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"

"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.

"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice."

I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.

"I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long."

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said.

"You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers."

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware—beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

xoxo

All quiet on the homefront...

Everything is good here. I continue to have very manageable side effects. I had my 3rd biopsy today. He took so many breast tissue samples that I swear I am going to walk with a list or start walking in circles from being lopsided. lol Tomorrow is the first day of my second layer of chemotherapy administered via the port in my chest. I am really eager to get this going. The faster we start, the faster I am done with treatments, home-free and back to our boring "life as usual".

Michele is here with us again, which is glorious. One thing Michele and I both enjoy (in addition to fabulous kid time) is watching the dogs wrestle and play. It is very therapeutic for me. They are hysterical. Oddie is 5 months old and rules the roost. Crazy as this may sound, he takes the pressure off all of us because he wears Scruffy out! Scruffy is a young dog himself and full of energy. Anywho, if I knew then what I know now, I would NOT have a puppy that is an additional expense and more work. But, I am tellin' ya, when he is not peeing and pooping in the house, he is such a good dog.

Here are the 4 legged buddies.



And here are the 2 legged buddies. :)



xoxo

Superhero and a chicken (jockey)

I feel pretty good this morning. My prayer today is that I never forget, even for a minute, to feel grateful...to BE grateful. When I am better, in remission, cured, cancer-free I pray that I never take feeling good for granted.

Before I go further, please let me tell you again about how much all your calls, cards, letters, flowers, e-mails, posts, thoughts and prayers mean to me. I have a folder to save every single sentiment (cards and printed out e-mails & posts) and enjoy reading and re-reading them. I am sorry I am so effusive. I just want you to know. And I have not replied to everyone which by my nature makes me riddled with guilt. I want to reach out and touch each of you the way you have touched me. So forgive the group hug of thanks. Please know that your loving support means so much to me!

Halloween was fun. My sweet friend Brian went with us which made it so much more fun. Plus it was a Godsend when little feet could not walk any more. Here are some pictures.

Angelica was an angel even though she was dressed as a child riding a chicken. It is hard to tell which ones are her real legs. She is a living doll and such a joy!



Angelica really did not want her picture taken but I have my ways (after a long night of fun).



This child is my kryptonite (superman or not).





Here are 2 videos of the kids (years apart) wearing the same chicken costume. When Oscar falls over in this first one and the legs fly up, I just come undone. Cracks me up!!


Here is Angelica this year in that same costume. Again, not wanting to perform for the paparazzi.



Thank you for letting me indulge with all these pics and videos of the kids.

xoxo

Two songs that I still just love...

But you have to be real careful with both of them 'cuz they will make you weep in chuch.

They are not new but I love 'em!


"I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed, what God has planned..."


"...Or to my knees will I fall."



xoxo

p.s. Sorry about the somewhat depressing video on "I Can Only Imagine". Didn't remember it to be so sad. The song just moves me, that's all. Happy faces, people! :)

Moons 101...the finale

Well, I began my family introductions with the last child and will now end with the first born of Bob and Suzanne Moons, my oldest sister Mary Beth. I love this picture of Mary Beth above but will have to work on getting one to post of her without the shades so you can see her gorgeous eyes and incredibly long eyelashes!

As with all first children, Mary Beth was adored by Mom & Dad, and especially by Grandpa and Grandma Moons. You see, our dad was one of four boys in his family with no girls, and you can see from all our early family photographs how blissfully happy everyone was to finally have a girl in the family!!! All of our early family photo albums are filled with pictures of Mary Beth lovingly trying to get Michele and Molly to behave while dressed in starched, fluffled, ruffled, embroidered, frilled, pinafored matching dresses long enough to get a picture taken before mayhem ensued.

Mary Beth has been the forerunner for all five of us and we have learned much from her love of adventure and most especially the gift of making any gathering of more than two people into a great celebration. Her great sense of humor and love for practical jokes has kept everyone she knows laughing and on their toes for a long time!!!

Mary Beth inherited her love of adventure from my parents and grandparents which led her to exciting adventures we are all very proud of. She once went on vacation to Tortola, British Islands and didn't come back for seven years!! She had turned her skills as a great cook into a profession that enabled her to see the world and meet hundreds of people on charters. Those people continue to be friends with Mary Beth years after the charter is over. That is the kind of person Mary Beth is. She always shared her stories with her sisters which excited and inspired us so much that we wanted to go out there and see that beautiful world for ourselves. She is a very loving sister, a successful sailboat racing captain, a wonderful mother, and great friend to people of all walks of life and a role model for connecting the most interesting people together into one big family.

Mary Beth also gave our family the precious gift of the first grandchild, little Megan, and began our chapter of life as aunts. Little Megan is an absolutely stunningly beautiful young woman, inside and out. "Little" Megan is now in college. Hard to believe! Mary Beth is an awesome mom and it is reflected in Megan.

I love you both, MB and "little" Megan!!

Moons 101 continued

I have the greatest family.

My sister Michele and I are so much alike. Aren't I the braggart?

One way we are alike is how we look at the world. I have this defective mind that thinks that things should be fair, and when things aren't fair I get upset. Yes, I know this is idealistic and I know it has caused, causes, and will continue to cause me a great deal of difficulty in life, but I just can't help it. Michele is like that too. The difference is that when things are not right, she will try to fix them. So many times when I would never have the chutzpah to speak up, Michele would have the courage to. She is brave and strong and "acts rather than just talks". She strives daily to make the world a better place.

Michele is so loving. Michele is so giving of her whole self. There have been 3 times in my life that Michele has dropped everything for me. No - actually 4.

1. In December of 2007, after a year long battle to bring Angelica home, I got The Call (actually it was an e-mail) from Guatemala that said her case was approved and to come get her (they were about that nice). I think I gave Michele something like 72 hour notice. She dropped everything and came running...and together with Oscar we rushed down to bring Angelica home.

2. On October 1 when I got the call that I had cancer, she hopped on a plane just a few short days later so she could attend all my really important doctor appointments. She was with me 100% while I heard all about the biology of my disease. She made it endurable.

3. She is dropping everything again this week to be here with me for my procedures on Thursday and my next round of medical assaults on Friday.

4. When I was 3 years old she pulled all kinds of strings to get me on the cheerleading squad as a junior cheerer.

Dropping everything for Michele means no income for the time she is here because she is an independent contractor. It means finding someone to take care of her precious 4-legged children. It means putting her other business on the back burner. Oh, by the way, did I mention her other business/life? Michele has a gazillion acres in Costa Rica where she and her partner/dear friend Eugene have a farm. They grow bamboo, an enduring, renewable natural resource...how typically Michele!!! She gets up to watch/listen to the morning rise at 5:30 a.m. every day. She eats her own chickens/eggs/pineapple/bananas/etc and her own talapia fish that they are raising. She is in heaven on her farm. Up top are Costa Rica pictures of Michele, Eugene and the ocean she adores!

Michele is a great aunt. My children adore her. In 2007 I was trying to adopt another little boy from Guatemala. His name is Joseph. Michele and Joseph bonded instantly. It was so incredibly special. I swear he was her child. Makes me cry just to think about it. Below is a photo of the two of them.

Michele is an artist. Everything she does, from the way she talks to the masterpieces she creates, has a creative, artist flair (candles, crystals, paper, chandeliers, music cds, drawings).

Michele is a very deep thinker. She believes in karmically god things. Michele is the kind of person that writes me e-mails that say:
"you and angelica and oscar are in a complete circle of life together. you saved them from a lesser life so that now they could give you a reason for living
and a fuller life. only no one knew it or did it consciously...which makes it divine."

She has hot flashes in her heart & head for me and writes to tell me about them.

Michele is beyond description and I re-read this knowing I have come up short. I hope you all get to meet her. Your life will be richer for it.

I feel the same about Michele today as when I was little. When I grow up, I want to be just like her!

I love you Michele!


xoxo

July 4th

My sweet friend Leslie sent me this picture of Oscar and I on July 4th. It is actually from July 4th, 2007. Know how I know? 'Cuz I had a date. I don't remember his name but I do remember I had a date. It was casual and group outing but I am still counting it as a date. If you look real hard behind Oscar you can see his forehead, part of his nose and the corner of his mouth. Not that you needed proof. LOL



xoxox

Moons 101...continuing up the line

I have the greatest family.

Next older to Suzanne is Molly. My first inclination is to describe Molly as funny. But Molly spent her earlier years have to "perform" and be funny for our parents at every dinner party (she does amazing impressions...she can sing ANY song as Ethel Merman) so I am sure being funny would tend to get old. Besides, she is so much more than funny. She is kind and loving and generous. Molly has the gift of being one of the best Aunts on the planet (I say one of because our family has some seriously wonderful aunts). She is all about life as exemplified in her love for the Lord. It is simple, pure and, most of all, untainted. Through the grace of God, Molly has survived more than some could handle. But she has fought and succeeded in not letting the terrible things define her. It is quite amazing. She is amazing.

Getting back to the "f" word. I could not post about Molly without touching on humor again. Because, seriously, she is so damn funny! Molly is deathly afraid of bugs and will give herself a concussion if she even thinks there is an arthropod on or near her. One time a fly got trapped between her eyeball and eyeglasses. What are the chances...seriously!??! It flew right in there and buzzed frantically trying to get out. She broke her eyeglasses and I think she gave herself a black eye. A favorite evil prank I personally loved to play was to tell Molly in my calmest, most soothing voice, as I carefully walked towards her with my hands outstretched, palms down... "now Molly...don't move...". Every time it worked. She would FLIP thinking there was a bug on her. Bad Maureen! But it would crack me up...Molly too!!! There is nothing I love better than a good belly laugh with Molly!!

And one final funny story is about an evening that could have turned tragic when Suzanne nearly set the house on fire in an unfortunate popcorn-making incident. In the words of Molly herself during a recent family reminiscence about this incident:

"O.K. so the real story ends when I ran to grab the fire extinguisher (which was mounted on the wall behind the door) and in a highly charged endorphin-induced effort I ripped the entire fire extinguisher AND BRACKET from the wall. I handed it to Suzanne and it was then and only then that the true wisdom of a Moons sister came to light -- when Suzy asked those famous words . . . ''Now Molly, if I hadn’t been here would you have known what to do???” Of course it utterly escaped her that she was one of the causes of the above mentioned fire!!! "






I love you Molly!!

xoxo

Moons 101 continued

I have the greatest family.

The other side of the “Mimi sandwich” is Suzanne. (By the way, Mimi is my family nickname. Please don’t tell anyone)

Suzanne, Megan and I are the bottom 3 Moons girls. Suzanne is the next older from me. She is a totally devoted mother and wife. And it is reflected in her awesome family. One of my big hopes in life is that Oscar grows up to be the kind of young men that Douglas (15) and A.J. (12), my nephews, are. Suzanne and Donald have done an amazing job raising two very nice kids. Suzanne, her awesome husband Donald and their boys live in Florida. You have heard me mention Donald before. He is a surgeon and helps me navigate the gobs of information coming at me on a regular basis.

Growing up one of the family jokes was that everyone called her Caboosy Suzy, being she had the only non-M name of the girls. She was supposed to be the last child and named after my mom. She could make my mom laugh no matter what the situation was. All she had to do was use her “Ricky Bearse” voice to get out of any kind of trouble!

Suzanne is also a totally devoted sister. She cares so much about me. I can hear it in her voice when we speak. And she calls and writes all the time to make sure I am doing okay. And she lets me win at Scrabble. Seriously, she rocks as a sister. I love you so much, Suzanne.

This photo of Suzy and I is from Megan’s big 40 birthday.




xoxo

Moons 101

I have the greatest family.

My mom, Suzanne, was a strong woman who instilled wonderful values and ethics on her children. She had a terrific sense of humor and many friends to share her laughter with. Although she was the disciplinarian of the family, there was no doubt how much she loved her girls! When she died she had one request: that her daughters take good care of each other. In fact, her Will basically said "split everything up...you girls will figure it out". And we did and we have. We have always pulled together strongly during times of adversity in our lives. Right now is a shining example. My sisters have circled the wagons and are caring for me like a pack of momma bears. I am so lucky.

My dad, Bob, was a patient and kind man...after all, he had to be with 7 women in the house! He would tell people "We had a male dog but the damn thing ran away". The family joke growing up was that when he was upset (a rarity), he would go around the house and put all the toilet seats up. We never expected that in a house full of females. He loved bragging about his girls to anybody who would listen...telling of their accomplishments and journeys throughout the country & world. He was a devoted son to my grandmother, visiting her several times a week when she was in a nursing home. He loved to whistle, play cribbage and act as Mr. Fix-it when he came to visit me in Texas.

I have 5 sisters. Each of them is incredible in their own way...smart, beautiful, strong, funny, intelligent, brave, wonderful! They are all my heroes. We are like a unit, a single item...the "Moons girls". What an incredible gift to be a part of this 6-pack. My life is so rich because of it.

My sister Megan and I have always been closest, probably partially due to the fact that we are the Moons "cabooses", coming at the tail end of 6 daughters to Bob and Suzanne Moons. We are actually twins except we were born 15 months apart.

It is nearly impossible to describe Megan but I am going to do my best.

I am moved daily by my sister, Megan. She was just here for a week, leaving her husband and kids and busy schedule back in Michigan. It was an amazing week. I think the most amazing part was all the laughter. These past 7 or 8 days could have sucked...really been a bummer. I have been poked, prodded, stuck, palpated, examined, stitched and glued more in the past several days than in all my 32 years (ha ha). Megan being here has meant jokes (not "why did the chicken cross the road" kind but more improv, funny exchanges...sometimes even with strangers). It has meant laughter, kindness, peace, calm, nurturing, competition (see photo below...she won and didn't even cheat) and just pure enjoyment. Megan being here meant laughter with the surgeon and post-op nursing staff. Megan being here has meant the smell of glorious homemade soup throughout the house. Megan being here has meant loving, gentle, patient reinforcement for my kids. Megan being here meant a reprieve from the fear.

One of the big jokes in our family is that Dad loved Megan best. It was even a part of his eulogy. And it was true. They had a special bond. He even delivered Megan in the front seat of the family car.

Megan is so grounded. She is so real and true. That is the kind of person Megan is. She is just a joy to be around. She makes it easy!

I love you with all my heart, Megan. Thank you for being here with me.

Day 6 of the first round of medication

Last night, along with the "boys" (my imaginary canine friends), I took my 6th dose of my first rounds of medications. The last couple days I was actually getting a little insy teensy tiny bit concerned that because I felt so good they may not be working. Isn't that crazy warped thinking? Mostly I am grateful but that distorted thinking would creep in once in a while. Well, guess what?! It is working. Careful what you wish for. LOL And I am sure I will start to feel better when my system evens out and gets used to the flood of meds. Those of you who know me well know that prior to this I would not even take an Advil. :)

Much, much love to you all

xoxo

Maureen